SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates: Afghanistan produced an all-round performance to seal an 18-run victory over Pakistan in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran powered Afghanistan to a strong total of 169/5 after they opted to bat first.
Atal struck 64 off 45 balls with three sixes and three fours, while Zadran matched him with 65 off 45 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six.
The pair added 113 runs for the second wicket, laying the platform for a competitive score.
Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/27, his career-best T20I figures.
He dismissed Atal, Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi to bring Pakistan back into the game, while Saim Ayub chipped in with one wicket for 18 runs in four economical overs.
Chasing 170, Pakistan faltered early, losing both openers – Saim Ayub for a duck and Sahibzada Farhan for 18 – within the first four overs.
Fakhar Zaman (25 off 18) and skipper Salman Ali Agha (20 off 15) attempted a recovery with a 33-run stand, but their quick dismissals triggered a collapse. Pakistan slumped to 111/9 in 17 overs.
Tailenders Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqeem provided late resistance with an unbeaten 40-run partnership for the final wicket.
Rauf top-scored with a rapid 34 not out off 16 balls, including four sixes, while Muqeem remained seven not out. However, their efforts fell short as Pakistan finished on 151/9.
For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi each claimed two wickets, ensuring Pakistan never recovered from their early setbacks.
Pakistan Playing XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Afghanistan Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmed.
